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VanMoof launches new SmartBike that “eliminates bike theft fears once and for all”

Coming back to the spot where you chained up your bike only to find it gone is a frustrating and dispiriting experience that many cyclists know all too well. About 1.5 million bikes are stolen in the United States every year, and even the most rugged chains and locks often prove to be no match for bike bandits. Bike innovation company VanMoof wants to change those stats with their newly launched Smartbike, which promises to thwart thieves with sophisticated anti-theft features like a keyless lock and built-in tracking technology. The Amsterdam-based brand is so confident that their new model will ease your bike theft fears that they're backing it with a bold guarantee: if your Smartbike is stolen and cannot be recovered within two weeks, they will replace it with a new one.

“We at VanMoof believe riders have shouldered the burden of bike theft for long enough,” said Taco Carlier, who co-founded VanMoof along with his brother Ties. “It’s great that there are thousands of engineers around the world working day and night to improve racing bikes and mountain bikes, but we found there’s been little focus on improving city bikes. That’s why we’re committed to solving major problems like bike theft – and to encouraging more urban commuters to swap four wheels for two.”

VanMoof will be unveiling the new Smartbike tonight at their Cobble Hill, Brooklyn store.

The bike’s scratch-resistant, anodized frame weighs less than 30 pounds, and all of the on-board electronics are pedal-powered.

Like VanMoof’s Electrified S, the Smartbike will come equipped with many advanced features such as an internal keyless lock that recognizes your hand using Bluetooth technology, automatic lights controlled via an integrated smartphone app, anti-theft nuts and bolts, and built-in tracking.

The VanMoof team is so confident in the Smartbike‘s anti-theft features that each one comes with a “Peace of Mind Guarantee”. If the bike is ever stolen, VanMoof will activate a bike recovery team to find it, and if it’s not recovered within two weeks, VanMoof will send you a new bike (for a one-time payment of $98). The guarantee will be free for two years after purchase, but will be available for a monthly fee after that.

The VanMoof SmartBike will be available (in choice of grey or black and three- or eight-speed) at special preorder prices starting from $1,098 and $1,298 beginning on May 31, 2016 at https://smartbike.vanmoof.com/. Shipping will begin in October 2016.

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Slideshow

VanMoof launches new SmartBike that "eliminates bike theft fears once and for all"

VanMoof Smartbike

1 of 7

Coming back to the spot where you chained up your bike only to find it gone is a frustrating and dispiriting experience that many cyclists know all too well. About 1.5 million bikes are stolen in the United States every year, and even the most rugged chains and locks often prove to be no match for bike bandits. Bike innovation company VanMoof wants to change those stats with their newly launched Smartbike, which promises to thwart thieves with sophisticated anti-theft features like a keyless lock and built-in tracking technology. The Amsterdam-based brand is so confident that their new model will ease your bike theft fears that they're backing it with a bold guarantee: if your Smartbike is stolen and cannot be recovered within two weeks, they will replace it with a new one.

VanMoof Smartbike Launch

2 of 7

“We at VanMoof believe riders have shouldered the burden of bike theft for long enough,” said Taco Carlier, who co-founded VanMoof along with his brother Ties. “It’s great that there are thousands of engineers around the world working day and night to improve racing bikes and mountain bikes, but we found there’s been little focus on improving city bikes. That’s why we’re committed to solving major problems like bike theft – and to encouraging more urban commuters to swap four wheels for two.”

VanMoof Smartbike Profile

3 of 7

The bike's scratch-resistant, anodized frame weighs less than 30 pounds, and all of the on-board electronics are pedal-powered.

VanMoof Smartbike Lifestyle

4 of 7

Like VanMoof's Electrified S, the Smartbike will come equipped with many advanced features such as an internal keyless lock that recognizes your hand using Bluetooth technology, automatic lights controlled via an integrated smartphone app, and anti-theft nuts and bolts as well as built-in tracking.

VanMoof Smartbike Chain

5 of 7

The VanMoof team is so confident in the Smartbike's anti-theft features that each one comes with a “Peace of Mind Guarantee”. If the bike is ever stolen, VanMoof will activate a bike recovery team to find it, and if it's not recovered within two weeks, VanMoof will send you a new bike (for a one-time payment of $98). The guarantee will be free for two years after purchase, but will be available for a monthly fee after that.

VanMoof Smartbike Rear

6 of 7

The VanMoof SmartBike will be available (in choice of grey or black and three- or eight-speed) at special preorder prices starting from $1,098 and $1,298 beginning on May 31, 2016 at https://smartbike.vanmoof.com/. Shipping will begin in October 2016.

VanMoof Smartbike Stairs

7 of 7

VanMoof will be unveiling the new Smartbike tonight at their Cobble Hill, Brooklyn store.